How to select the right lighting for your closet?
Popular Types of Closet Lighting Options for You
- LED Lighting. Let’s admit it, without ideal lighting, your closet can end up looking dark and dreary. ...
- Illuminated Hanging Rods. One of the best ways to make use of LED lights is by having them mounted on the underside of your clothing rail.
- Task Lighting. ...
- Mirror Lighting. ...
- Wireless Lighting Systems. ...
- Chandeliers. ...
- Track Lighting. ...
- Accent Lighting. ...
- Natural Light. ...
What is the best closet light?
- BEST OVERALL: Lithonia Lighting LED Flush Mount Closet Light
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Brilliant Evolution Wireless LED Puck Light 2 Pack
- BEST STRIP: Cotanic 70 LED Closet Light
- BEST RECESSED: Sunco Lighting 10 Pack 4 Inch LED Recessed Downlight
- BEST TRACK: Globe Electric Grayson 4 S-Shape Track Lighting
What is the best light fixture for a closet?
- Low-profile light fixture won’t get in the way
- LED fixture is Energy Star Certified and reduces frequency of bulb changes
- Hardwired fixture avoids visible cords
- Motion sensor and pull-chain options
What is the Best Lighting for a closet?
How to Select the Right Lighting for Your Closet
- Safety First. Building codes closely regulate lighting in closets, but many older homes fail to meet these minimum standards.
- Halogen Lights Are Bad for Closets. Halogen is a type of incandescent lighting that includes a gas to increase light output. ...
- Go Fluorescent. ...
- Install Your Own. ...
- Add a New Hard-Wired Fixture. ...
How do you light up a walk-in closet?
11 Best Closet Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your WardrobeOpt for LED Closet Lights. ... Find the Right Wattage. ... Add Ribbon Lighting Above Closet Rod. ... Install Recessed Puck Lighting. ... Illuminate the Base of the Closet. ... Install Track Lighting or Light Bars. ... Try LED Strip Lights. ... Make a Statement with a Chandelier or Pendant Light.More items...•
How many lumens do I need for a walk-in closet?
For a closet, 20 to 30 or more lumens per square foot is recommended. The calculation for a 7-foot by 10-foot walk-in closet, therefore, is 70 square feet x 20 lumens/square foot. This closet needs at least 1,400 lumens.
What color light is best for closets?
Consider Color Temperature We suggest a color temperature between 3000 and 4000 Kelvins (K) that produces a clean white light well-suited for most closet applications. Anything cooler than 4000K will be too harsh and unflattering, especially if your closet space doubles as a dressing room and utilizes mirrors.
Should closet lights be warm or cool?
(The higher the kelvins, the cooler the quality of light: 4,000 to 6,000 kelvins is too cold for a closet, says Paterson.) Generally speaking, women prefer warmer light and men will find cooler light more helpful for spotting the subtleties among their darkest clothes.
Can LED lights be used in closets?
Exposed or partially exposed incandescent or LED lamps (bulbs) are not allowed in closets. While utility light fixtures with bare bulbs in a socket were once common in closets and other storage areas, these are no longer allowed.
What is a closet rated light fixture?
Products that are Closet-Rated Certified have passed an evaluation that ensures the product meets UL's standards UL 2108, 67.1. 9 and 60.4. These LED products are UL Listed and suitable for installation in the storage area of a clothes closet.
What lights are allowed in closets?
The Best Lighting for Your ClosetSurface-mounted or recessed fixtures are permitted, but exposed light bulbs are not.Minimum clearance requirements are: Surface-mounted incandescent and LED fixtures with completely enclosed light sources must be at least 12 inches from storage/clothing areas.
Why might it be a good idea to put a light in your clothes closet?
A good lighting system will streamline the use of your closet, making it easier to find the things you need and remember where everything is. It will also help you craft better outfits, because clothing appears clearer and more vibrant. You won't be blindsided by stains that couldn't be spotted in the dark.
Are pull chain lights allowed in closets?
NEC 410.16(B) states: “Incandescent luminaires with open or partially enclosed lamps and pendant luminaires or lampholders shall not be permitted.” What this means is that you cannot have one single exposed light bulb hanging down with a pull chain for lighting your clothing closets.
Where should closet lights be placed?
Put lights on the bottom of the closet for your shoes. The underside of the shelf is equipped with an LED strip lighting system to light up the bottom area of the closet used for shoe storage. Don't forget about the bottom of the closet!
How do you install LED lights in a closet?
1:142:13How to Improve Closet Lighting - Quick and Easy LED LightsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight in together and then you use these little brackets to install them wherever you're going toMoreRight in together and then you use these little brackets to install them wherever you're going to put them I was able to install the brackets with the screws provided.
Is soft white bright?
Soft white (2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin) is warm and yellow, the typical color range you get from incandescent bulbs. This light gives a warm and cozy feeling and is often best for living rooms, dens and bedrooms.
What is the best lighting system for a walk in closet?
Sunco Lighting ’s recessed LED downlights represent one of the best closest lighting systems for larger walk-in closets. These LEDs have a baffle trim that diffuses light and creates a softer and more pleasant viewing experience. Their 90-degree flood beams can illuminate wide areas.
What is the best way to light a walk in closet?
What’s nice about track lights is you can swivel the light bulbs and spotlight specific areas of your closet. Track lighting works best for walk-in closets because larger closets usually have enough ceiling clearance to avoid a fire hazard.
What is the temperature of a light bulb?
The color temperature, or tone, of a light bulb is measured in Kelvins. A lower rating of 2,000 to 4,000 Kelvins produces a warm yellowish tone; cooler white tones are found in the 4,500 to 6,000-plus Kelvins range.
How long does it take for a Cotanic light strip to turn off?
After 18 seconds of inactivity within the 10-foot range, the light strip shuts off. The high-density light strip can be attached or removed from its magnetic mount for easy recharging through a USB port, eliminating the need for electrical wires.
What type of lighting is used in closets?
The most common types of lighting used in closets are strip lighting, recessed lighting, and track lighting. Each option has a different kind of bulb and different types of mounts. Of these different types, some have a motion sensor for automatic turn on, or are wireless and battery-powered for easy installation.
What color are closet lights?
Your closet lighting’s design aesthetic is probably more exciting to shop for than the bulb tone. Though most closet lights are trimmed in simple white tones so they’ll blend in with drywall, other light fixtures are available in black, silver, bronze, or other trim colors .
What is the difference between fluorescent and LED?
When shopping for the best closet lighting, you may come across the terms “fluorescent” and “LED” and wonder, what is the difference? Fluorescent lighting is a gas-discharge lamp that requires an electrical charge to start up. It may produce a buzzing sound with age. Fluorescent bulbs have been a reliable source of light for years and are more efficient than incandescent bulbs.
What is the smartest light for a closet?
For tall closets, a motion-activated light can be the smartest solution. This one automatically turns on with movement—and because it shuts off after 30 seconds of when it doesn’t detect any, it makes for a money-saving option, particularly in a forgetful teen’s closet.
How long does it take for a closet light to turn off?
Ideal for tall closets, this mounted light automatically turns on with movement (and shuts off after 30 seconds).
How tall is a mini chandelier?
Now that you finally have the closet of your dreams, you not just any old light fixture will do. This mini chandelier (16.5 inches in diameter) will light up your wardrobe brilliantly. The chrome and acrylic fixture reflects light to amp up and intensifies its subtle glow—the fixture is dimmable. It can be hung at a minimum height of 16.25 inches which makes it perfect for smaller spaces (or a maximum of 88.25 inches). Don’t be surprised if you start inviting guests into your closet just so you can show it off.
How much less energy does a light bulb use?
Per the manufacturer, it uses 70 percent less energy than conventional lights and lasts up to 10 times longer than a 75-watt incandescent bulb. The light is acrylic and damp rated, which means you can even use it in a bathroom closet, laundry room, or basement.
Can you use battery operated lights in a closet?
If you don't have hard wiring in your closet, you have two choices for closet lights. Battery-operated lights are a convenient choice for anyone who doesn't want to recharge with a wall charger—just swap out the dead batteries with ones you already have on hand. If you'd rather not invest in batteries or you don't always keep them on hand and don't want to take a chance on having ample closet lighting, a rechargeable model may be for you.
Can you use a dimmable light in a bathroom?
Besides being dimmable, this light is also damp rated—meaning that you can use it in a bathroom closet or laundry room.
Can you screw an 810 lumen LED light into a lamp holder?
This 810 Lumens LED light can be screwed directly into an existing plastic or porcelain lamp holder and is an easy lighting upgrade that you won’t have to call your electrician for. The light is adjustable: depending on your needs of the time of day you can change between soft white (3000K), bright white (4000K) or daylight (5000K) using the toggle switch. While most customers were happy with this ceiling light, a few reviewers commented that they wish the lowest setting had a warmer tone.
1. LED Walk-in Closet Lighting on the Hanging Rods
If you want a simple yet stylish design for your walk-in closet, you can consider using LED lights like this.
2. Vintage Sconces Walk-in Closet Lighting to Create a Traditional Look
For a more traditional look, you can go for a vintage sconce like this to brighten up your walk-in closet.
3. Round Ceiling Fixture Combined with Recessed Walk-in Closet Lighting
Installing one big round ceiling fixture in the middle of the walk-in closet will indeed give a sufficient amount of light to illuminate the area.
4. Triple Metallic Pendants as a Modern Walk-in Closet Lighting
Sconce and fixture will surely give you a traditional and elegant look.
5. Stainless Steel Hanging Pendants Over Storage Cabinet as a Walk-in Closet Lighting
This is another large trendy walk-in closet completed with stylish hanging pendants.
6. Using a Combination of the Elegant Chandelier and Ceiling Light as a Walk-in Closet Lighting
Pendants and sconces are beautiful, but the chandelier is on another level of beauty.
7. Spark Ball Pendant Lighting Fixture in a Farmhouse Walk-in Closet
Sometimes, a usual pendant is not enough. You may need something more unique yet still functional. This spark ball pendant lighting fixture may be the best solution.
What is the best light for a closet?
Always choose LEDs for your closet illumination. They are a better choice than incandescent, halogen, or other types of artificial illumination. They are also more economical over the long run even though initial cost may be higher than incandescent. They run much cooler than other types of lamps and are environmentally friendly. LEDs come in different color temperatures as well. The temperature you choose is a matter of personal preference. However, all the lights used in your closet should be the same color temperature. Furthermore, when choosing the color temperature for lights in your closet, look to the lights in the rooms immediately outside the closet for guidance. For example, if your bedroom uses warm lights, use warm lights in the bedroom closet as well.
What is a good lighting system for a closet?
A good closet lighting system will always include task and ambient lighting . Accent lights may also play a part in the closet lighting plan depending on the size and uses of the closet.
What are puck lights?
Puck lights are small, round lights about the size of a hockey puck. Hence the name. They are almost always used as task lights but can sometimes work as display lights as well. Mount them to the underside of shelves and cabinets installed over a closet hutch or dresser. Use them on the underside of the top shelf inside cabinets or cubbies for display illumination. They work very well over a mirror and can help when putting on earrings or makeup. For this reason, they are sometimes included as part of a closet vanity.
What is task lighting?
Task lighting, on the other hand, focuses on providing intense illumination in specific area. In a closet, task lighting is often used to illuminate a countertop over a built-in dresser or hutch, a vanity, built-in desk, or a closet island.
What is the double bottom shelf on a puck light?
The double bottom shelf on this cabinet is used to recess the puck lights and hide the wires. Very little space is needed to do this. Note the small gap between the shelves. The lower shelf is fixed and the one on top sits on shelf pins so that it is easy to remove and service the lights.
What is vertical strip light?
Vertical strip lights illuminate the shoe shelves in this closet. Notice how the strips are recessed into the closet panels so that you don't see the flexible LED strip at all. All that is visible is lovely bright light illuminating the shelves.
How to make a walk in closet glow?
Install up-lighting behind a strip of crown moulding as an accent light for a glowing effect. As a relaxing source of accent lighting, it can transform your walk-in closet into a private retreat. The best way to achieve this is with LED strip lighting because the diodes are evenly spaced, and it emits a very balanced light. Place the strip lights behind the crown. This will hide the light source and all the wires while keeping the lights accessible for easy maintenance.
What is the best light bulb for a closet?
LED and fluorescent bulbs are both popular choices for closet lighting because they provide better energy efficiency than their traditional incandescent counterpart. But when compared to fluorescent lights, LED bulbs are brighter, have a longer lifespan, and are less hazardous to dispose of than mercury-containing lights.
What is a chandelier in a walk in closet?
Chandeliers and pendant lights are artwork in their own right. These statement pieces look absolutely stunning in any walk-in closet with their whimsical yet sophisticated appeal. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors so you can design a luxurious closet space. For a standard closet that’ll fit the 8-Foot Traditional system, opt for a flush mount chandelier or pendant light to maximize every inch.
Why are LED lights better than incandescent lights?
Another advantage of LED lights is their ability to imitate the flattering warm glow of incandescent bulbs , which prevents colors from looking washed out . LED bulbs may cost more upfront, but the energy savings, lighting aesthetic and other benefits make them well worth the investment.
What is track lighting?
Track lighting is widely found in walk-in closets that’ll use the 10-Foot Extra Hanging system or the 10-Foot Extra Shelving system because larger closets typically have ample ceiling clearance to avoid a fire hazard. Track light.
What is strip light?
Strip lights are flexible cords of tiny LED lights that have an adhesive backing to attach to walls . Their compact design makes them perfect for small, dark spaces. Infinitely customizable, you can cut them to any length and add them above closet rods in our 4-Foot Extra Hanging system, under every shelf in our 4-Foot Extra Shelving system, or along the panels in our 6-Foot Traditional system to illuminate your wardrobe sections.
Why do closet lights have motion sensors?
Motion sensor closet lights can help you conserve power and save on your electric bill. They turn on when you actually need them and turn off when you’re no longer in the room, providing added convenience to your dressing routine.
Can wireless lights be used in closets?
Without in-wall wiring, wireless lights offer the flexibility to scale and customize your closeting lighting with ease. You can opt for battery-powered or rechargeable options depending on their usage.
What is a pendant light?
Pendant lights can be very stylish. They can give the room this extra special feature that you are looking for. These kinds of lamps are available in all different kind of designs, so there will always be one that matches your personal preference of style.
Is a chandelier a must have?
Speaking of adding some special stylish features to the room, a chandelier is a must-have. Over the years, chandeliers have known to be the most stylish lamps that have the ability to add so much more to a room than just lighting.
What color light bulb should I use for a closet?
Working in the lighting design business for 30 plus years we first must follow safety codes in closets. NO open lamps. Everything in a closet must be sealed in the rare case of a lamp (bulb) exploding and the hot filament landing on clothing and igniting a fire. The next critical factor of lamp selection is color. 3500 Kelvin is the best choice for any circumstance. The higher in Kelvin we go the bluer we go. The lower in kelvin we go the yellower we go. Having that in mind there are hundreds of fixtures to choose from. I HIGHLY encourage everyone to experiment with lamp color from 2700k to 4100k as we do not all wear the same color combinations of clothing.
What is the NEC code for enclosed luminaires?
The NEC only requires the luminaries in 410.16 (A) (1) to have a "completely enclosed lamp".
Is the color corrected fluorescent bulb the norm?
As an aside, color corrected fluorescent bulbs are pretty much the norm in most big box stores. The old "blue" are getting hard to find. "A' lamps...the incandescent light bulb you grew up with, is being phased out as a direct result of the Clean Air Act from Bush Sr.
Can you use fluorescent lights in a closet?
I would say no to fluorescent lights. 1. They throw off diff color lighting that's why they don't use them as much under counters. 2. They are ugly and dated. Just a regular ceiling light would work fine (at least it has for me) If really large closet put two fixtures. Note: spend your lighting $$'s in area where people will see it - dining room, front entrance.
Can a lamp be installed in a closet?
2) Lampholders and luminaires of the pendant or suspended type, and lampholders and luminaires of the bare lamp type shall not be installed in clothes closets.
Can you put LED lights in drawers?
Check out some of the new LED lighting from Hafele. Some of it is rechargeable and can be installed inside drawers and they even have rods that are lighted.
Do closets have to be lensed?
A couple of notes on code issues...First, closet fixtures are required to be lensed, that is, covered. Bare bulbs, even in recessed lights, are considered fire hazards. Second, while not all states have an energy code, some do and closets are required to have high efficiency lighting, i.e. LED, fluorescent or Xenon.
What is the best lighting for a closet?
An LED strip is another one of the best closet lighting ideas out there. LED strip lights have an adhesive backing, making it incredibly simple to install them in your closet. You can add them anywhere in your closet: the top, the bottom, inside storage areas—they’re infinitely customizable.
How to make a closet feel warm?
Nonetheless, placing a fragrant candle in an unconfined area of your closet is one of the easiest ways to upgrade the space and make it feel warm and welcoming for changing and getting ready.
How many watts does an LED bulb have?
“A medium-intensity ribbon light has approximately 1.4 watts per foot and can provide a soft accent glow,” she says. “Higher-intensity ribbons are about 3 watts and are great for task lighting or brighter illumination over clothes.” Dimmers add another level of customization, altering light intensity up or down. Based on a cabinet’s finish, a warm or cool LED can coordinate with a room’s colors and materials.
How to get your closet in order?
Getting your closet in order is all about organizing and optimizing —and one surefire way to optimize the space is with great closet lighting. “The right lighting can dramatically impact the overall functionality of a space,” says Monika Kerstens, a design consultant with California Closets. "A thoughtful lighting design combines additional useful illumination with the luxurious boutique effect that highlights favorite collections like bags or shoes as showpieces.”
What does it mean to have a window in your closet?
Having a window in your closet is a luxury that really lets in the light. If you have a window in your closet, take advantage: Keep it clear and free of any light-blocking clutter (like boxes stacked up high and obscuring the light stream). If you need a window treatment on it, keep it lightweight and airy.
Can you use string lights in a mason jar?
While string lights don’t provide the most robust lighting, they definitely add whimsy and calm to your closet. They come in a variety of colors and styles. You can keep it classic with a string of solid LED white bulbs or use cascades of rainbow lights. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You could even wind up a wire string of battery-operated lights and place them in a mason jar. The possibilities are endless.
How many lumens should a walk in closet have?
A walk in closet is more of a small room so it should be treated as such with LED recessed lights that create at least 500 lumens each approximately 3 feet apart.
What is track lighting?
Track lighting is a popular installation particularly for the larger style walk-in closets as they have the space. A track mounts a series of individual light bulbs on an elongated metal bar, making them easy to move and focus light in different areas of your closet. Track lights require one electrical point as opposed to recessed lighting which need multiple points.
What is LED strip light?
LED Strip lights of Flexible LED Tape is a thin profile, flexible tape with tiny LEDs that can be attached to the wall or other surface and plugged in for use. They give off a more linear light than traditional bulbs and are more conducive to small, dark spaces such as closets.
